Medication Treatment for Depression in Nursing Home Residents

This study has been completed.

Sponsor:

University of Pennsylvania

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT00076622

First Posted: January 29, 2004

Last Update Posted: April 29, 2013

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
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This study will examine therapeutic and adverse effects of continuing versus discontinuing antidepressant medication in nursing home residents who have had no more than a single episode of depression and who no longer have depressive symptoms.

Participants assigned to discontinue current medication will be monitored over a period of one year for recurrence of depression and related symptoms.

Detailed Description:

There are approximately 1.6 million nursing home residents in the United States. More than one third of these residents are taking antidepressant medications (ADs). Although ADs are effective, evidence suggests that they can lead to significant adverse events, including an increased risk of falls and bone fractures. Many depressed nursing home residents suffer from an initial episode of late-life depression and do not meet guideline-based recommendations for maintenance treatment. This study will examine the benefits and risks of long-term AD treatment in depressed nursing home residents whose single episode of depression has been in continuous remission for at least six months.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either continue or discontinue AD treatment. Participants will be monitored over a period of one year for recurrence of depression and related symptoms, as well as for the occurrence of falls, fractures, and other adverse events. Medical chart review, self-reported mood symptoms, and depression scales will be used to assess participants.

Eligibility

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:

65 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Current use of antidepressant medication

Have been in remission from first episode of depression for 6 months or longer

Currently residing in a long term care or assisted living facility

Exclusion Criteria:

Bedridden

Severe cognitive impairment

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00076622